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By Rachel Kytonen
rachel.kytonen@ecm-inc.com
Specific priority groups in Isanti County are now receiving a vaccine for the H1N1 novel influenza virus.
At the Isanti County Board of Commissioners meeting Nov. 3, Isanti County Public Health Director Kathy Minkler said Isanti County is currently in phase one of the H1N1 vaccine distribution and targeting strategy.
Isanti County has received a limited supply of H1N1 vaccine,” Minkler said. “We are coordinating closely with Cambridge Medical Center to assure the phase one target population is vaccinated.”
Phase one population includes pregnant women; caregivers of children under 6 months of age; children 6 months to 4 years old; children 5-18 years old with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and compromised immune systems; health care workers in acute care settings and emergency medical responders.
“We are holding H1N1 vaccine clinics that are by invitation only,” Minkler said. “We want to make sure the key people are immunized.”
Minkler stressed public health is in daily contact with Cambridge Medical Center to ensure they have coordinating distribution plans and to check on vaccine allotment.
The next phase to receive the H1N1 vaccine in Isanti County will be anyone left from phase one, and kindergartners through second grade in Cambridge, Isanti and Braham schools.
Minkler estimated the school children will receive the H1N1 vaccine beginning Nov. 16. The vaccine will be given at the schools, beginning after-school until 6 p.m. to ensure parents are there to sign the permission slip and are with their children when receiving the vaccine.
Minkler said she hopes K-2 students are vaccinated by the end of November, and then as vaccine comes in, the next grade levels by age will be targeted.
Other priority groups in phase two besides school age children include other health care workers and emergency medical persons; and persons 18-24, and persons 25-64 with underlying health conditions.
Minkler said there currently is not enough vaccine to serve all persons in the targeted groups. She said public health has identified the groups they have vaccine to cover and are inviting those in the target groups to receive the vaccine.
Minkler said earlier this week persons hospitalized with H1N1 are primarily under 25 years of age (70 percent).
Children deaths from H1N1 are running about one and a half times higher than deaths from seasonal flu, as this is why public health is targeting children. She noted pregnant women have also been hit hard by H1N1.
Minkler said children getting the H1N1 is the biggest difference from seasonal flu, which primarily affects people over 65 years of age. Minkler said actually people over 50 have been shown to have an immune response to H1N1 because of a similar virus that circulated in the late 1950s.
Once Phase I and Phase 2 persons are vaccinated, the vaccine will be offered to the general public. At this time Minkler said public health doesn’t know when this will happen, but most likely not until after Jan 1.
There are currently two forms of the vaccine– nasal mist and injectable (shot). Not every clinic or public health department has both forms, and there are restrictions on who can receive each form.
For information on H1N1 visit www.mdhflu.com . There is also a link on the Isanti County Web site, www.co.isanti.mn.us.
If you have flu symptoms you can call the Fluline 1-866-259-4655 and talk with a nurse.
Truth-in-Taxation statements
County Assessor Michelle Bolen provided the board with some background on understanding the assessment timeline, and how it relates to the truth-in-taxation statement.
Bolen explained by state statute, truth-in-taxation statements will be mailed out in the upcoming weeks. She said she realizes many will look at the estimated market value and feel it’s not realistic.
Bolen said it’s important for taxpayers to understand there is no direct relationship between estimated market value and property tax revenue. It’s possible for your property tax to increase while your market value decreases and vice versa.
According to state statute, the assessor’s office is to value property at market value as of Jan. 2 of the assessment year. The timeline allows for an appeals process and the compilation of tax capacities for the following year.
Bolen said the current 2010 truth-in-taxation statement reflects market values determined as of the Jan. 2, 2009 assessment year, which uses statistical data compiled from actual real property sales from Oct. 1, 2007 through Sept. 30, 2008.
Bolen acknowledged that during periods in which real estate prices are rapidly changing, assessment values will often lag from what is occurring in the current marketplace.
Bolen said the assessor’s office is fully aware of the market conditions currently affecting the real estate market.
The current market study, beginning Oct. 1, 2008 and ending Sept. 30, 2009, is being analyzed for the Jan. 2, 2010 assessment. Preliminary studies indicate the majority of property values not experiencing new construction will possibly be decreasing in value for the 2010 property assessment and will be reflected on the 2011 truth-in-taxation statement.
Bolen said anyone with questions concerning the process can call the assessor’s office at 763-689-2752. The information is also available on the Minnesota Department of Revenue Web site at www.taxes.state.mn.us.
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